What's a well paying job?

[Stewie]

What do you consider being "well paid?"

[-King-]

Depends on your situation
Posted via Mobile Device

[Brock]

well paid for what?

[Stewie]

well paid for what?

I consider making over $75K a non-slug job.

[Saul Good]

I said 55-75, as it is significantly better than average. 75+ is better than well-paid.

[rockymtnchief]

It also depends on where you live.

$75,000 a year will buy a pretty nice house in Meagher County Montana, but only buy you a parking space and coffee in Manhattan New York.

[CrazyPhuD]

Between 150-200K

[Stewie]

Between 150-200K

Interesting. Is this income based on an average skilled professional?

[Bearcat]

In Kansas City, you can get by on about $27-30,000 and not live paycheck to paycheck (as long as you aren't already paying off a lot of debt)..... for this area, I'd say about $50-60,000 is a good paying job. You could have a mortgage payment, car payment, take a decent vacation or two every year, and generally not worry about how much you spend on entertainment, eating out, etc.

[Old Dog]

Without trying to be a jerk, there are too many variables to answer this. Well paid to be an insurance salesman would be considerably underpaid to a brain surgeon. Someone making x$ in the midwest may be well paid where someone making the same money living in California could be underpaid.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

In Kansas City, you can get by on about $27-30,000 and not live paycheck to paycheck (as long as you aren't already paying off a lot of debt)..... for this area, I'd say about $50-60,000 is a good paying job. You could have a mortgage payment, car payment, take a decent vacation or two every year, and generally not worry about how much you spend on entertainment, eating out, etc.

Yep, location is a going to be a huge factor in people's answers.

[Saul Good]

Between 150-200K

That's ridiculous. 150-200K is top 2-3% of the country. That is beyond well-paying.

If I had a friend that I was trying to set up with a girl, and she asked me if he had a job that paid well, I would certainly say yes if he made 55k-75k. If he made 130k, I'd say he made great money.

[BigMeatballDave]

I went with 75k+, but that depends on people who depend on you for financial support.

If it were just me, 40k would be great.

[shirtsleeve]

In Kansas City, you can get by on about $27-30,000 and not live paycheck to paycheck (as long as you aren't already paying off a lot of debt)..... for this area, I'd say about $50-60,000 is a good paying job. You could have a mortgage payment, car payment, take a decent vacation or two every year, and generally not worry about how much you spend on entertainment, eating out, etc.

Huh. In the Peoples Republic of Taxachusetts, 27-30k gets you a rundown appt in a drug building with people shooting at you. And there's no money left for food.

50-60K gets you an ok appt in a safe neighborhood with ok schools and a decent used car. You want to own a home? You are making over 100k or fuggetaboutit.

[BigMeatballDave]

Of course, 75k isnt shit if you live near either coast.

[CoMoChief]

If your single/no kids etc you can easily get by (comfortably) on a $40,000/yr job

[Stewie]

Without trying to be a jerk, there are too many variables to answer this. Well paid to be an insurance salesman would be considerably underpaid to a brain surgeon. Someone making x$ in the midwest may be well paid where someone making the same money living in California could be underpaid.

My bad. Add 20% to the high expense areas. Adjust to Dane's income.

[BigMeatballDave]

That's ridiculous. 150-200K is top 2-3% of the country. That is beyond well-paying.

Not in SF, where a 1000 sq ft apartment can cost you 600k.

[Saul Good]

There are about 150,000,000 wage earners in the US. 100,000,000 of them earn under $40,000 per year. Less than 10,000,000 earn over $100,000.

[Saul Good]

Not in SF, where a 1000 sq ft apartment can cost you 600k.

The median family income is $81,136 per year in SF. That's the entire family, so the average person makes significantly less than that.

[Saul Good]

Huh. In the Peoples Republic of Taxachusetts, 27-30k gets you a rundown appt in a drug building with people shooting at you. And there's no money left for food.

50-60K gets you an ok appt in a safe neighborhood with ok schools and a decent used car. You want to own a home? You are making over 100k or fuggetaboutit.

The median HOUSEHOLD income in MA is $50,502.

Massachusetts Income & Jobs
$0-10,000 6,604
$10,000 - $14,999 137,187
$15,000 - $24,999 248,208
$25,000 - $34,999 253,125
$35,000 - $49,999 355,195
$50,000 - $74,999 490,998
$75,000 - $99,999 312,741
$100,000 - $149,999 267,300
$150,000 - $199,999 80,640
Over $200,000 84,494

[Gonzo]

Not in SF, where a 1000 sq ft apartment can cost you 600k.

That's no shit. I was there a while back and my taxi driver and his wife both worked two jobs, pulling in 250k a year and still struggled. I told him he was high for living there. Then he said, "Hey, you live in Omaha."
I shut the hell up after that.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Saul Good]

It always amazes me at how much people think other people earn. It goes to show how well class warfare propaganda has been ingrained into our collective psyche.

[The Franchise]

That's no shit. I was there a while back and my taxi driver and his wife both worked two jobs, pulling in 250k a year and still struggled. I told him he was high for living there. Then he said, "Hey, you live in Omaha."
I shut the hell up after that.
Posted via Mobile Device

And you better not forget that either!

[Stewie]

It always amazes me at how much people think other people earn. It goes to show how well class warfare propaganda has been ingrained into our collective psyche.

I think it's about, "I contribute... and I'm not a gov't flunkie!!!

[CrazyPhuD]

That's ridiculous. 150-200K is top 2-3% of the country. That is beyond well-paying.

If I had a friend that I was trying to set up with a girl, and she asked me if he had a job that paid well, I would certainly say yes if he made 55k-75k. If he made 130k, I'd say he made great money.

Welcome to living in a city or a general high cost area. Start at 150K Take 40% off the top for taxes You now have 90K left. Buying a median priced house is likely to run you between 5-6K per month that's 60-72K chopped. call it 20K left. Use 10K of that 20K to max your 401K and you now have 10K left for expenses/vacations/utilities/additional retirement savings/investments. Sure you'll get some additional money back from mortgage interest deduction(well probably) but still you'll find living in high cost ares things get eaten substantivity faster than in other areas.

100K+ salary in a city is middle class. The big things that kill you are taxes that don't adjust for cost of living and real estate pricing. Can you get by with alot less. Sure. But the question is what would a well paying job be. Well paying to me means the ability to buy a house where you live/work, the ability to save for retirement, the ability to build a nest egg that allows you to tolerate unexpected events in the future. That would be a rate of $150k+ in a high cost area, and NYC is likely even worse.

[R8RFAN]

I think being well paid is anytime you spend less than you make and are saving money.
I think being Blessed is when you have all of the above and you and your family are in good health.
As far as being "Rich" if you eat once per day and have a roof over your head, you have more than 75% of the people in this world.

[Molitoth]

Like others have said, it depends on where you live.

Making $60k in St. Joseph is great. Making $60k in Overland Park may not be so good.

[shirtsleeve]

The median HOUSEHOLD income in MA is $50,502.

Massachusetts Income & Jobs
$0-10,000 6,604
$10,000 - $14,999 137,187
$15,000 - $24,999 248,208
$25,000 - $34,999 253,125
$35,000 - $49,999 355,195
$50,000 - $74,999 490,998
$75,000 - $99,999 312,741
$100,000 - $149,999 267,300
$150,000 - $199,999 80,640
Over $200,000 84,494

http://www.trulia.com/home_prices/

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_does_an_average_apartment_cost_in_the_US

average sale price over $300k. Still think you can buy a house on $50k?

average apt price for ONE bedroom 1600/month.

Thats 400/wk for a ONE bedroom. Thats $20k take home pay just to pay the rent in a one bedroom.

You asked what good pay was. Two income earners in Mass who are not legally married but live like they are, are popular here for financial and tax reasons.

[BigMeatballDave]

Like others have said, it depends on where you live.

Making $60k in St. Joseph is great. Making $60k in Overland Park may not be so good.I doubt there'd be much difference.

[-King-]

How the hell do you struggle if you're making a quarter mil a year? Unless you're making it rain every night, in no city do you NEED a quarter mil to live.
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[Hydrae]

http://www.trulia.com/home_prices/

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_does_an_average_apartment_cost_in_the_US

average sale price over $300k. Still think you can buy a house on $50k?

average apt price for ONE bedroom 1600/month.

Thats 400/wk for a ONE bedroom. Thats $20k take home pay just to pay the rent in a one bedroom.

You asked what good pay was. Two income earners in Mass who are not legally married but live like they are, are popular here for financial and tax reasons.

Which just tells us that the average wage earning household in Mass can't afford to buy a house.

[Pants]

How the hell do you struggle if you're making a quarter mil a year? Unless you're making it rain every night, in no city do you NEED a quarter mil to live.
Posted via Mobile Device

You don't. Either Gonzo or the driver was full of shit.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

How the hell do you struggle if you're making a quarter mil a year? Unless you're making it rain every night, in no city do you NEED a quarter mil to live.
Posted via Mobile Device

Not true. Latrell Sprewell could barely afford to feed his family out on the coast ;)

[shirtsleeve]

Which just tells us that the average wage earning household in Mass can't afford to buy a house.

No, like I said in an earlier post, many people are living together but are claiming separate households for economic and tax porposes. Like someone else pointed out correctly, taxes can hammer an income badly here.

And to the point the question was what is considered "good pay"? Not what the average person makes. Good pay in Mass is a real collective household income over $100k.

[CrazyPhuD]

The median family income is $81,136 per year in SF. That's the entire family, so the average person makes significantly less than that.

See let me explain to you how the system works out here. There are two factors in play, first is a good fraction of people rent because they could never afford to buy. Additional if the apartment that you live in was built before 1979(most were), then that apartment is subject to a form of rent control. This form of rent control allows for a landlord to only raise rent a maximum percentage, based upon inflation, per year. For instance for 2011 the maximum rent increase was 0.1%. This rent control only applies when you have been living in a place. If an apartment is empty a landlord can set the price to market rates. So in effect you will have a large number of people that if they have lived in a location for say 10+ years, they will not be able to afford to move any place else because they could not afford the rent increase. You have people that may be paying a couple hundred dollars a month in rent in the same building as people who are paying 2-3K per month for a similar apartment. Rent control sounds nice because it prevents people from being evicted for being unable to pay market rates. BUT it also traps people in their current apartments and reduces available supply driving up the rates for what ever is left.

A similar issue happens in the housing market. In CA when you buy a place you are assessed property tax based upon the sales price + a maximum increase per year of 1-2% in assessed value. The intent is to prevent the little old lady from being forced to sell her house based upon being unable to pay the property taxes because the value of her property has appreciated too much. Again you will have people who are living in houses that are assessed at 100-200K that are actually worth 1million+. If they were to sell those houses they likely could not afford to buy a nearby house even with the proceeds because they could not afford the property taxes. Again you trap people(and families, because a house can be passed to a family member without triggering a reassessment) in their houses. Again all this does is remove potential housing inventory from the market and raises prices for what it left since supply is reduced.

Look these plans are great things if you already live their or already own property because you will pay below market rates for what you have. However if you are a recent transplant you are going to subsidize all of those old residents because you have to pay more for your housing because of artificially reduced supply. All of these policies really punish new residents which is part of the reason that housing/pricing is so high and yes if you are new you need every bit of that 'huge' income to be on an equal footing as someone who's been here 20+ years.

[-King-]

I doubt there'd be much difference.

Whoa there. Are you familiar with St Joe or OP?
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[Hootie]

not gonna matter when the world ends in a year and a half

[BIG_DADDY]

I quit a job making 120k a year to risk it all and live on scraps. It looks like it just might be finally coming together too. That being said if I had to go back and work for somebody I would at least want the chance to make a 6 digit income.

[Dunit35]

Here in NW Oklahoma and a majority of OK regions. A married couple with no kids could get buy on $25-30K a year. A single person can get buy on 20-25K a year.

We only pay $400/month in rent for a 2 bedroom CH/A fenced yard, finished basement, garage in a nice neighborhood.

[-King-]

Which just tells us that the average wage earning household in Mass can't afford to buy a house.

ROFL ROFL
Posted via Mobile Device

[Jenson71]

I would like an income of at least $63K, and I would consider that well-paying.

[Pants]

Here in NW Oklahoma and a majority of OK regions. A married couple with no kids could get buy on $25-30K a year. A single person can get buy on 20-25K a year.

We only pay $400/month in rent for a 2 bedroom CH/A fenced yard, finished basement, garage in a nice neighborhood.

That's just freaking crazy man, my apartment in KC costs $780/mo + $90 for 2 spots in the garage.

[CrazyPhuD]

How the hell do you struggle if you're making a quarter mil a year? Unless you're making it rain every night, in no city do you NEED a quarter mil to live.
Posted via Mobile Device

Well while I agree there is no way he should be struggling, I wouldn't have been surprised to see that he was.

First big question is his 250K per year pre or post expenses? I know people who run cab companies and I believe that every cab is leased to the driver so if hat was pre expense, his take home pay could be alot less when you factor in lease costs, fuel costs etc.

Plus if he and his wife work two jobs do they have kids? If they do the child care costs could be extreme. Plus if they send their kids to private school instead of public(because the public schools blow), that would be another huge cost.

But the biggest reason I could see them struggling is if they did something dumb like too many people did. When the housing market was blowing up I knew too many people who felt like, hey I can be a real estate investor how can I lose money. If I buy these properties in the boonies and rent them out I can make crazy money. Well if they still own these properties and have had them foreclosed they could be paying quite a bit of money on worthless land.

So yes he shouldn't be struggling, but I can easily see how people would feel like they would be struggling. They are struggling because they choose to make their life so.

The sad thing is if you live in Manhattan that's a whole different set of insanity.

[Pants]

Well while I agree there is no way he should be struggling, I wouldn't have been surprised to see that he was.

First big question is his 250K per year pre or post expenses? I know people who run cab companies and I believe that every cab is leased to the driver so if hat was pre expense, his take home pay could be alot less when you factor in lease costs, fuel costs etc.

Plus if he and his wife work two jobs do they have kids? If they do the child care costs could be extreme. Plus if they send their kids to private school instead of public(because the public schools blow), that would be another huge cost.

But the biggest reason I could see them struggling is if they did something dumb like too many people did. When the housing market was blowing up I knew too many people who felt like, hey I can be a real estate investor how can I lose money. If I buy these properties in the boonies and rent them out I can make crazy money. Well if they still own these properties and have had them foreclosed they could be paying quite a bit of money on worthless land.

So yes he shouldn't be struggling, but I can easily see how people would feel like they would be struggling. They are struggling because they choose to make their life so.

The sad thing is if you live in Manhattan that's a whole different set of insanity.

So in other words, you're saying "you don't need $250k to live in SF."

[vailpass]

Do you consider the quality/cost of medical benefits a factor in being "well paid"?

[R8RFAN]

Do you consider the quality/cost of medical benefits a factor in being "well paid"?


Yes

[CrazyPhuD]

So in other words, you're saying "you don't need $250k to live in SF."

Sure you can get by on a whole lot less. But if you're a recent transplant and you want to have the 'trappings of an america dream' here, you'd need 150k+ to be 'comfortable'. Remember the question wasn't what salary do you need to get buy, it was what was a 'good' salary. In major cities you'll find that a salary to be comfortable is a whole lot higher than that in low cost areas. Taxes and housing kill you.

[Dave Lane]

Way, way above $75K

[Pants]

Sure you can get by on a whole lot less. But if you're a recent transplant and you want to have the 'trappings of an america dream' here, you'd need 150k+ to be 'comfortable'. Remember the question wasn't what salary do you need to get buy, it was what was a 'good' salary. In major cities you'll find that a salary to be comfortable is a whole lot higher than that in low cost areas. Taxes and housing kill you.

"Comfortable" is a very subjective term, which is the point of thread, I guess. My point, however, was that Gonzo was full of shit with the story about a guy HAVING to work 4 jobs to make $250,000/year just to survive. lulz

EDIT: Or maybe the Taxi driver was full of shit, either way, the point stands.

[Saul Good]

Sure you can get by on a whole lot less. But if you're a recent transplant and you want to have the 'trappings of an america dream' here, you'd need 150k+ to be 'comfortable'. Remember the question wasn't what salary do you need to get buy, it was what was a 'good' salary. In major cities you'll find that a salary to be comfortable is a whole lot higher than that in low cost areas. Taxes and housing kill you.

"Well paid" doesn't mean being able to buy a house in one of the most expensive markets in the world."

[shirtsleeve]

Do you consider the quality/cost of medical benefits a factor in being "well paid"?

Point.
And auto insurance too. We recently had one return to the nest. Between her and her fiance they are making well over 40k, and they couldn't hack it in a small apartment in not the best neighborhood. Granted both were stupid enough to get a car loan. But when rent, food, utilities, car loans, health insurance (mandatory in Mass. We've already been Obamacized here)and car insurance (over 200/month each and both good drivers), they couldn't hack it.

[seclark]

if you're happy doing it.
you're paying your cost of living bills.
able to rat-hole a little back for emergencies.

you got a well paying job, imo.
sec

[CrazyPhuD]

"Well paid" doesn't mean being able to buy a house in one of the most expensive markets in the world."

Why not? Well paid to most people means able to live comfortably. What does living comfortably mean to you? Owning your own home(note I don't necessarily say a house), able to afford vacations, investing in your future and providing and nest egg for emergencies. Basic trappings of what people would call the american dream. Why should it matter where you live? The metric is subjective but the cost to have similar basic things everywhere is going to vary widely based upon where you live.

Besides SF isn't even in the top 20 most expensive real estate markets in the world.

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/05/0523_expensive_housing/source/1.htm

[Bearcat]

Point.
And auto insurance too. We recently had one return to the nest. Between her and her fiance they are making well over 40k, and they couldn't hack it in a small apartment in not the best neighborhood. Granted both were stupid enough to get a car loan. But when rent, food, utilities, car loans, health insurance (mandatory in Mass. We've already been Obamacized here)and car insurance (over 200/month each and both good drivers), they couldn't hack it.

Holy shit, I pay annually what they pay in 4 months.

[shirtsleeve]

Holy shit, I pay annually what they pay in 4 months.

Auto insurance here is brutal to begin with. But 18-25 year olds get HAMMERED. Carrying full comprehensive costs them both over $2K a year. Good news is next year they turn 26 and it drops. Alot.

[Saul Good]

Why not? Well paid to most people means able to live comfortably. What does living comfortably mean to you? Owning your own home(note I don't necessarily say a house), able to afford vacations, investing in your future and providing and nest egg for emergencies. Basic trappings of what people would call the american dream. Why should it matter where you live? The metric is subjective but the cost to have similar basic things everywhere is going to vary widely based upon where you live.

Besides SF isn't even in the top 20 most expensive real estate markets in the world.

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/05/0523_expensive_housing/source/1.htm

You can live very comfortably in most of the country for $75k. You can't live in all of them, though.

Judging by this poll, half of the people here think that 80% of Americans aren't well paid.

Of course, they are all banging supermodels, too.

[shirtsleeve]

You can live very comfortably in most of the country for $75k. You can't live in all of them, though.

Judging by this poll, half of the people here think that 80% of Americans aren't well paid.

Of course, they are all banging supermodels, too.

I've never banged a supermodel. Unless you count Paris Hilton. But she's served more than McDonalds, so there's that.

[Brianfo]

Doesn't matter what you make. I think I make a lot of money, but i am extremely unhappy. I am self employed and the wife stays home, but I want somthing more.

[Dunit35]

That's just freaking crazy man, my apartment in KC costs $780/mo + $90 for 2 spots in the garage.

Yeah...that same apartment here...I'm assuming (1-2 bedrooms) would be 300-400 all bills paid except cable and internet.

My last house was a 2 bedroom for $300. It wasn't as nice as my current house though.

You find a 2-3 bdrm house over 400-500 here in town it better be super nice.

[Amnorix]

Huh. In the Peoples Republic of Taxachusetts, 27-30k gets you a rundown appt in a drug building with people shooting at you. And there's no money left for food.

50-60K gets you an ok appt in a safe neighborhood with ok schools and a decent used car. You want to own a home? You are making over 100k or fuggetaboutit.

First, Massachusetts is now below average for teh USA in terms of total tax burden. The concept of Taxachusetts is about 20 years out of date.

The rest of what you say is true for the 128 belt. Remember that Western Mass is rural so cost of living is MUCH cheaper.

But yeah, Eastern Mass, it's 100k plus to be "well paid" or whatever.

[Saul Good]

Just as a frame of reference, there are no cities in the US with a population of 10,000 or more that have ever had a median household income of $200,000+.

There is only one city in with a population of 3,500 or more that has ever had a median household income of $200,000+.

There are currently no cities in the US with populations of 3,000 or more that have a median household income of $200,000+.

[Saul Good]

Number of states with a Per Capita income of >$50,000: 1
Number of states with a Per Capita income of >$40,000: 13
Number of states with a Per Capita income of <$30,000: 2

[shirtsleeve]

First, Massachusetts is now below average for teh USA in terms of total tax burden. The concept of Taxachusetts is about 20 years out of date.

The rest of what you say is true for the 128 belt. Remember that Western Mass is rural so cost of living is MUCH cheaper.

But yeah, Eastern Mass, it's 100k plus to be "well paid" or whatever.

Well, ok, we will talk taxes elsewhere.

As far as Western Mass being cheaper, that is 10 years out of date. New Yorkers have inflated housing costs in the Bershires to the same levels as the 128 belt. I live on a lake here, and the only neighbors I have are seasonal or retired New Yorkers from Lonk Eyeland or a couple of doctors from Boston. Also seasonal. These are year round homes, but my neighborhood is empty all winter except for the families that ski. No way the locals can afford a home here. I only did because I transplanted from Eastern Mass.

Further, food costs, etc are much HIGHER than eastern Mass. because this is considered a "resort area".

[Saul Good]

The average American earns about 26 gallons of gasoline per day, or about 20 gallons after taxes.

[VAChief]

I would like an income of at least $63K, and I would consider that well-paying.

You will for about a year, then you will get used to it and it won't seem like it is that much.

[Saul Good]

You will for about a year, then you will get used to it and it won't seem like it is that much.

Yep. When you make $63K, you're sure that you'd have it all if you could just make $80K.

[RJ]

Location, location, location.

There are places where you could live pretty damn good on 50K. Hell, you could go to Costa Rica and live like a freaking king on 50K. But move to San Francisco and you better be prepared to struggle on those wages.

Where I live, I'd say 75K+ would qualify as upper middle. Maybe 125K as joint income.

[Saul Good]

I will say that when I graduated from college 10 years ago, I made $32K. I had a paid-for car, no debt, and I split an $800/mo apartment with a roommate. I felt like I was a f***ing millionaire.

[Saul Good]

It cracks me up that half the people here act like they would look at a job that pays $70,000 and think "that job doesn't pay well."

I'm guessing that, in reality, 80% of the people on here would crawl on their hands and knees for a job paying $70,000. I can pretty much guarantee that a strong majority of the people on here would be getting a nice raise if their pay changed to $54,000 tomorrow yet fewer than one in six have categorized that as a job that pays well.

[RJ]

It cracks me up that half the people here act like they would look at a job that pays $70,000 and think "that job doesn't pay well."

I'm guessing that, in reality, 80% of the people on here would crawl on their hands and knees for a job paying $70,000. I can pretty much guarantee that a strong majority of the people on here would be getting a nice raise if their pay changed to $54,000 tomorrow yet fewer than one in six have categorized that as a job that pays well.


I think that has a lot to do with the interpretation of the question. Myself, I'm not sure how to interpret it so I didn't fill in the poll. It's safe to say though, that a job paying 50K annually is a job that pays more than what most Americans earn.

[luv]

For me, up to $55k would be paying well. Whatever allows me to pay my bills and live the way I would like.

[Jenson71]

You will for about a year, then you will get used to it and it won't seem like it is that much.

Yep. When you make $63K, you're sure that you'd have it all if you could just make $80K.

I just did a few K less than what I think my dad makes, which would be fine for me, because my parents lifestyle, income-wise, is what I would be comfortable with.

[prhom]

The average American earns about 26 gallons of gasoline per day, or about 20 gallons after taxes.

Is that per wage earner or per capita?

26 gallons * $3.50 per gal = $91 per day

$91 per day / 8 hrs worked per day = $11.375 per hr

52 wks per year * 40 hrs worked per wk = 2,080 hrs worked per year

2,080 hrs worked * $11.375 =

$23,660 a year, seems a little low to me?

[luv]

Is that per wage earner or per capita?

26 gallons * $3.50 per gal = $91 per day

$91 per day / 8 hrs worked per day = $11.375 per hr

52 wks per year * 40 hrs worked per wk = 2,080 hrs worked per year

2,080 hrs worked * $11.375 =

$23,660 a year, seems a little low to me?

I'd say that's the average around here.

[Saul Good]

Is that per wage earner or per capita?

26 gallons * $3.50 per gal = $91 per day

$91 per day / 8 hrs worked per day = $11.375 per hr

52 wks per year * 40 hrs worked per wk = 2,080 hrs worked per year

2,080 hrs worked * $11.375 =

$23,660 a year, seems a little low to me?

That's per calendar day, not per work day.

National average for gas is $3.70. $3.70 x 26 x 365 = $35,113

[Saul Good]

Welcome to living in a city or a general high cost area. Start at 150K Take 40% off the top for taxes You now have 90K left.

This isn't even close to accurate.

Your earnings aren't taxed at your highest marginal bracket from dollar one. If you earn $150,000 and don't claim any deductions, your total Federal burden is 20.16% or $30,244 (assuming married, filing jointly). You would be left with $120,000 not counting state and local taxes. Even after factoring in state and local, you are still left with over $100,000. Again, that is without taking ANY deductions.

[SLAG]

This thread has put some things in perspective for me...

and i am seriously considering moving somewhere where my money can go farther... i think its possible i'll enjoy my job more....

open to suggestions for places - lets keep it in the Continental US

[Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan]

That's per calendar day, not per work day.

National average for gas is $3.70. $3.70 x 26 x 365 = $35,113


That's what I was getting paid as an E-7 back in 1999.

Luckily, I'm doing a tad better than that now.

Considering CoL here in Maryland, a damn good thing too.

[Bearcat]

This thread has put some things in perspective for me...

and i am seriously considering moving somewhere where my money can go farther... i think its possible i'll enjoy my job more....

open to suggestions for places - lets keep it in the Continental US

The other side of the state line? :shrug:

I guess it depends on the industry, but I know my paycheck would go down at least as much as the cost of living would if I moved to a smaller city.

[Saul Good]

This thread has put some things in perspective for me...

and i am seriously considering moving somewhere where my money can go farther... i think its possible i'll enjoy my job more....

open to suggestions for places - lets keep it in the Continental US

Will you be able to earn the same amount anywhere you move?

[joesomebody]

I said 55-75. I'm fresh out of college and am looking for the 35-40k range. I can live quite well on 35k, but I think for a family man/woman 55k or more is well paid. Me, single and relatively low in debt, 35k is just fine.

[Otter]

Good cash flow is relative to what makes you happy. I always admired people who made a living doing things like chartering fishing boats for a living. No one to report to but themselves pretty much, work is mother nature and they all seem pretty happy.

If you're stuck in corporate America however dealing with the BS that comes with it working for a soulless entity the answer is 'as much money as possible'.

I choose the Gaz option.

[SLAG]

Will you be able to earn the same amount anywhere you move?

Yes

I can pick up and work from home 100%

[58-4ever]

If you're stuck in corporate America however dealing with the BS that comes with it working for a soulless entity the answer is 'as much money as possible'.

I choose the Gaz option.

This. A shitty job will make you rethink a 6 figures.....but probably not upper 6 figures. Either way, It never feels like enough.

[RJ]

Good cash flow is relative to what makes you happy. I always admired people who made a living doing things like chartering fishing boats for a living. No one to report to but themselves pretty much, work is mother nature and they all seem pretty happy.

If you're stuck in corporate America however dealing with the BS that comes with it working for a soulless entity the answer is 'as much money as possible'.

I choose the Gaz option.


I remember back in the early 80's meeting an American dude in cancun who had a para-sailing business. He had a boat, a parachute and a beach. I was instantly envious. I should have learned something from that.

[RJ]

This. A shitty job will make you rethink a 6 figures.....but probably not upper 6 figures. Either way, It never feels like enough.


Fact: The more more money you make, the more bullshit you are likely to put up with.

[Phobia]

Fact: The more more money you make, the more bullshit you are likely to put up with.

I was making $150k by the time I was 25. Now I make less than half that working twice as hard and I'm 10x as happy.

[Rain Man]

I was making $150k by the time I was 25. Now I make less than half that working twice as hard and I'm 10x as happy.

That means your happy-work-per-dollar ratio has gone up by a factor of 50.

[CrazyPhuD]

This isn't even close to accurate.

Your earnings aren't taxed at your highest marginal bracket from dollar one. If you earn $150,000 and don't claim any deductions, your total Federal burden is 20.16% or $30,244 (assuming married, filing jointly). You would be left with $120,000 not counting state and local taxes. Even after factoring in state and local, you are still left with over $100,000. Again, that is without taking ANY deductions.

Actually you might be surprised and no I was not accounting for married I was using single rates.

CA has a top state tax rate of 9.3% + 1.2% for CA state disability insurance(tax). The CA disability phases out around 95K

State bracket
0-~7K 1%
7K-~17K 2%
17K-~27K 4%
27K-~37K 6%
37k-~47K 8%
>47K 9.3% (ok it's 10.3 for over 1million but that's not relevant here)

FICA caps at 106,800 at 6.2% and Medicare tax is 1.45 with no cap

Fed single bracket
0-~8K 10%
8K-~34K 15%
34K-82K 25%
82K+ 28%(assuming we are dealing with numbers under 171K)

at 150K you'd owe

CA state 70+200+400+600+800+9579 = 11649
CA disability(since you hit cap) = 1140
FICA = 6622
Medicare = 2175
Federal = 800 + 3900 + 12000 + 19040 = 35740

Total 11649 + 1140 + 6622 + 2175 + 35740 = 57326

57326/150000 = an effective tax rate of ~38% So you're right I did overestimate the effective tax by ~2% or ~$3000. While deductions will help lower that some, most high incomer earners lose the state tax deduction because CA's high income tax rate forces them into AMT. Which is the most F'd up part of AMT. I can't be avoiding taxes by paying state tax......

[Rain Man]

Good cash flow is relative to what makes you happy. I always admired people who made a living doing things like chartering fishing boats for a living. No one to report to but themselves pretty much, work is mother nature and they all seem pretty happy.



I dunno. Any time you have to deal with customers you're going to deal with hassles, even when they're supposed to be happy and relaxed. Ever seen people on a cruise start screaming at the waiter because the tenderloin portion was too small?

[Otter]

I dunno. Any time you have to deal with customers you're going to deal with hassles, even when they're supposed to be happy and relaxed. Ever seen people on a cruise start screaming at the waiter because the tenderloin portion was too small?

I spent a summer in Durango, CO as a kayaking guide. It was crap money and I slept on a mattress on the floor, shared a filthy bathroom with 2 other guys but I loved kayaking so I thought it would be cool.

There were trips I spent chasing fat ladies down the river because they were inverted weeble-wobbles when inside a kayak in the water, and on the rapids, good lord. These people should have been in much wider flotation devices but at the end of the day it was fun and we were a tight group who enjoyed working together and were genuine friends.

That's what I miss about the job. I find people uptight and rigid in cooperate American. Don't get me wrong, the money is a lot better but it would be nice to find a happy medium. Or better yet, such a great job at 6 figures.

[Otter]

I remember back in the early 80's meeting an American dude in cancun who had a para-sailing business. He had a boat, a parachute and a beach. I was instantly envious. I should have learned something from that.

Yeah, I can deal with that and bad mediocre money.

[ExtremeChief]

I can remember when I lived in Columbia in 1990 and just knew if I could make 8 bucks an hour I'd be set. I was paying 350/month to live in an apt in Prathersville. Now I live in a town of 2000, make over 60K not counting the benefits. I should be living like a king. I'm not, but I sure have some nice shit and a nice house.

It's amazing to sit back and think how having an extra 10 bucks then was really something and now I don't think anything about dropping a hundy on something stupid. It's a mindset and honestly, the more you make the more you spend for the most part.

So now I'm trying to go backwards.... find a lower paying job where I can get by and live off my business. Of course, I don't need the expensive vehicle, the HDTV and flatscreens, the pool table...I like that stuff though. So I'll put up with corporate america and all the bs until I can keep the toys and be happy with my job.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Being well paid is making whatever amount will make Scarlett Johansson want me.

[Son of Logical]

I live in San Diego, which is known for high cost of living, and even here I think a well paying job would start at 60k up to 70k. If you are making a above 70k you have a great paying job. Just for some perspective, when my wife and I first got married I made around 43k plus a company car a year. With that some we could afford: 1 used vehicle, 1700/month mortgage, cable, internet, two cell phones, and food for the family. She was a stay at home mom, and we had two kids. Now we definitely lived check to check, no question there. If you had bumped up that salary by 20k, we would be living very comfortable. So in San Diego, I would say 60k is the threshold for a well paying job.

[El Jefe]

Yeah...that same apartment here...I'm assuming (1-2 bedrooms) would be 300-400 all bills paid except cable and internet.

My last house was a 2 bedroom for $300. It wasn't as nice as my current house though.

You find a 2-3 bdrm house over 400-500 here in town it better be super nice.

WOW, where do you live Compton?

[El Jefe]

It cracks me up that half the people here act like they would look at a job that pays $70,000 and think "that job doesn't pay well."

I'm guessing that, in reality, 80% of the people on here would crawl on their hands and knees for a job paying $70,000. I can pretty much guarantee that a strong majority of the people on here would be getting a nice raise if their pay changed to $54,000 tomorrow yet fewer than one in six have categorized that as a job that pays well.

I agree 100%, If I made 70k dollars I would be a BOSS. If my pay went up to 54k tomorrow I would mess my pants. I make no where near that money, although I live pretty good on my money,I could live much better on that money. I would still live how I live now, I would just stockpile money away.

[Saulbadguy]

Whatever pays the bills and leaves enough left over to play with.

[MOhillbilly]

Whatever pays the bills and leaves enough left over to play with.

this

75k? shittin in tall cotton.

[El Jefe]

this

75k? shittin in tall cotton.

True